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Pensacola council delays decision on six Baptist-campus parcels, schedules workshop for December meeting
Summary
Council voted 5–2 to postpone action on declaring six parcels near the Legacy Baptist campus surplus and set a date-certain for a workshop and return at the December city meeting (Dec. 11), citing need for master planning, appraisals and community input while staff pursues funding options for demolition.
The City Council on Oct. 23 agreed to postpone consideration of a staff recommendation to declare six parcels on the periphery of the Legacy Baptist campus surplus property and to schedule a workshop and a date-certain return at the council’s December meeting.
City staff explained the surplus declaration was requested to explore disposition options and help bridge a shortfall in demolition funding for the larger Baptist demolition project. Staff said the parcels had been offered to the city to help fill a roughly $1.5 million to $2 million "delta" for demolition costs, but that declaring property surplus would not obligate a sale. Staff recommended engaging a broker for a broker’s opinion of value (BOV) as a lower-cost initial step instead of full appraisals.
Council members raised concerns about speed and community input. Council Member Delarian Wiggins and others said they wanted a formal master development framework and a workshop so neighbors could weigh in before any decision. Council Member Baer and others asked for clearer valuations and expressed discomfort with declaring property surplus so soon after the donation.
After extended discussion the council substituted the original motion and voted to postpone the surplus declaration until the council’s December meeting (the council agreed to a date-certain in December — recorded discussion settled on Dec. 11). The substitute motion passed 5–2.
The administration said that postponing the surplus declaration would not prevent staff from engaging potential partners (including conversations with healthcare providers and the county) and that any actual sale, donation or disposition would return to council for approval. Staff also confirmed that a surplus declaration could be rescinded if the council later determined the parcels were needed for city uses such as stormwater management.
